PASCO COUNTY, Fla. – James John Hall, 34, of Zephyrhills, has pleaded guilty to one count of unlawfully making a firearm (destructive device).
Hall faces up to 10 years imprisonment.
Hall has also agreed to forfeit the destructive device, which includes a pipe, Tannerite, pyrotechnic powder, and pyrotechnic fuse.
In the news: Four Tampa Bay Area Tax Preparers Plead Guilty To Fraud
According to court documents, on November 1 and 2, 2022, Hall spoke on the phone with a man to whom he had previously sold firearms.
In these conversations Hall offered to sell the man a “pipe bomb” that Hall had built and shared with the man that he had contemplated using the “pipe bomb” to target an individual with whom he was angry.
The man with whom Hall was communicating was a confidential informant with the Pasco Sherriff’s Office.
The confidential informant contacted the Pasco Sheriff’s Office and coordinated further investigation with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
In the news: Florida Man Arrested Trafficking Fentanyl He Kept In Pringles Cans
Later in the evening on November 2, the confidential informant and an undercover Pasco Sheriff’s detective met with Hall, where the detective purchased the “pipe bomb.”
When asked about future purchases, Hall indicated he “had enough to build six more now.” Hall also indicated that the device he was selling to the detective had a magnet on the bottom of it.
The suspected destructive device was then disassembled by ATF bomb technicians, revealing a metal pipe sealed at both ends with end caps and filled with suspected pyrotechnic powder, with suspected pyrotechnic fuse inserted into one of the end caps.
The pipe was taped to suspected mixed explosive materials. Further analysis by the ATF concluded that the device was designed to function as a weapon and would be characterized as both an improvised explosive bomb and destructive device.
In the news: Florida Man In A ‘Volunteer’ Shirt Wanted For Stealing Beer, Laundry Detergent From Family Dollar
ATF found no records for Hall in the National Firearm Registration and Transfer Record, indicating he was unlawfully in possession of the device.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Pasco Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Newman.
Android Users, Click To Download The Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. Follow Us On Facebook and Twitter . Signup for our free newsletter .
We can’t do this without your help; visit our GiveSendGo page and donate any dollar amount; every penny helps.